Archive for September, 2011

Alex and I love to cook especially when we can take the time to really enjoy cooking. A couple of months back, Alex told me about a really cool place that we needed to visit which was located right above our portrait studio. The first weekend we had available (without the kids) we headed to the Palmetto Olive Oil Company. All I can say is WOW!!! I was so impressed. It’s like a wine tasting bar but with olive oils and balsamic vinegars. They have the highest quality olive oils and what they will do is cut up some yummy bread and walk you through the oils and white vinegars for tasting. Then they will give you ice cream and walk you through the dark balsamics. Yummy! Sandy Burn and the entire staff was so helpful and fun. I will be stopping by that store periodically to stock up on different bottles of yumminess:) Go check it out; it’s a lot of fun and a very unique experience!

Wow, has time flown by so quickly. It just seems like yesterday that I was entering my last few months of pregnancy and getting everything (I mean everything) prepared for the holidays and Ally’s arrival. It’s definitely been a journey this year having two children to care for but it’s so worth it! I look at both Phillip and Ally and I just thank God everyday that He blessed me with these kids. They teach me about life and what really matters. She is my angel from above and she is so loved. Just wanted to share some images from her portrait session this morning–she did great!

If any of you know my husband, then you know he loves his coffee. Well about a year ago, I wanted to buy him a Keurig coffee maker but he talked me out of it. He thought he wouldn’t like it. But then about a month before his birthday, he all of a sudden decided he wanted this coffee maker so needless to say he bought his own birthday gift. I am sooo glad he bought it! It has been one of the best purchases we have made. We just love this little machine. You can make coffee, tea, and hot chocolate (haven’t tried the hot chocolate but I’m sure it’s delicious) plus it makes it super fast! Alex makes him a cup of joe before heads to the gym in the mornings and he makes me one when I get up at 5am. It’s wonderful! I highly recommend one of these for every home that likes their coffee. Alex has even suggested getting one for the office. Oh, no! We are in trouble. LOL!!

After church we just decided to hang out at the house today. I tried to get Phillip to take a nap but he really didn’t want to stay in his room but as soon as he came into the living room and laid on the couch, he was out like a light (go figure). Ally loves her johnny jump-up! I just love to watch her bounce and twirl in it while she giggles and laughs. It’s amazing how both kids are just changing so much. Time goes by too fast!

Here is our first baby! His name is Bailey and we love him very much. He is a lab/great dane mix and weighs a little over 100 lbs. Before the kids were born he ruled the house and got our undivided attention. We really treated him like he was our baby boy and he loved every minute of it.

After Phillip was born, he wasn’t too sure about this little “thing” taking all of our attention and crying in the middle of the night but as the days went by he learned to accept that this little guy was not going anywhere and was part of our family. Then here came Ally! Bailey was not amused and is still not amused. Considering the poor fellow is going on 11 years old, he gets really nervous when either one of the kids makes a noise and as soon as they do, he’s ready to either hide behind the recliner or head outside.

Besides all that, he has and continues to be a really good dog (even though he doesn’t think he is a dog). He refuses to do a whole lot these days except just lay around but he sure does like to be loved on and paid attention to!

Friday is usually the day when I get on the scales. My weight has been fluctuating a little over the past couple of months but I’m back on track and ready to get these last few pounds off! I’m only 7 more pounds away from what I weighed when Alex and I hiked down near the bottom of the Grand Canyon (which was the lowest weight I’ve ever been in my adult life). It is really amazing to be able to fit into clothing that I haven’t worn for almost 5 years. Size 10/12 feels so much better than a size 16. So much fun!! But I do still have a ways to go. I’m so glad to have Alex there with me every step of the way. He is so inspiring (he’s lost 92lbs so far) and encourages me everyday. Couldn’t do it by myself so it’s a blessing to have him there to help!

Well, the other morning, Ally’s teacher told me that she decided to give her a brand, new nickname: Drama Queen!!! I told her, “wow, she must be something else to receive a name like that!” The teacher just giggled and said the reason she has that nickname is because she wants so much visual attention which is so true. We kept Phillip at the studio for almost 10 months before he headed to daycare but Ally only lasted for 3 months and both Alex and I said, “enough!” She wasn’t really attached to one particular person but she never wanted to feel alone and I guess she will always be that way. I call it being a “people person”. It’s amazing how different both are children are but I love it!

With that being said, I arrived at daycare the other afternoon and the assistant director stopped me near the office to inform me that Ally had a “blow-out”. I giggled and said that it must have been a doozy if I was being stopped for this reason. She laughed and proceeded to tell me that before any of the teachers could get to her, she had the ooey-gooey mess all over her hands, her hair, her nose, and they wasn’t for sure if it made it to her mouth (yes, I know that’s gross) so if she got sick over in the night that it was probably what it was–yucky!!! Needless to say, the teachers gave her bath to remove the mess and when I stepped into the room she was all smiles:) That’s my girl!

Well, it’s been a while since I’ve been blogging. Life just got the best of me but I’m ready to get back to sharing my family/work/life stories.

Today is my hubby’s birthday! He is such a blessing to me. He’s my best friend and someone I can lean on to give me advice and help when I most need it. He balances me especially in those times where I can get a little frantic and stressed out. He also inspires me to do my best. He is a wonderful daddy to both our kids. No matter how busy life gets, he always takes time with our babies–that’s so important. So “happy birthday” to the best husband and daddy in the world!!! Love you lots, Alex Hyman!

This is who we are!

Welcome to our Blog! This is a fun site where we share all the moments with our portrait studio and family life. We both love to work together in our business and spend quality time with our two small children.